Solidaridad Network Asia
Job Profile: Commodity Manager - Aqua

Introduction

Solidaridad Network Asia is a global network organization working on sustainable, resources-efficient and inclusive supply chains. Solidaridad is working across 37 countries through 9 Regional Excellence Centre’s, and facilitating development of socially responsible, ecologically sound, and profitable supply chains. In Bangladesh, Solidaridad has been implementing landscape based agricultural development programming for making tangible impact on agricultural productivity and promotion of agri-business covering 102,000 smallholder farm households. Through a multi-stakeholder initiative, Solidaridad is promoting climate smart and nutrition sensitive farming practices to bring positive outcomes for smallholders in term of productivity and income, quality of nutritious food intake as well as environmental benefits. Our work focuses on a broader landscape framework development for strengthening strong business relations among the cluster of producer organizations with the public, private and civil society organizations to strengthen agribusiness, food security and promotion of sustainable economics.

Overall Job Description

The Commodity Manager-Aqua will lead a team of professionals and will be responsible for overall implementation of SaFaL aquaculture interventions to achieve the development objectives. S/he also will be responsible to readjust/redesign of aquaculture interventions based on farmers’ need and market context through incorporating innovative and realistic ideas. The Commodity Manager-Aqua will support farmers to adopt integrated and sustainable aquaculture for efficient farm management for their economic profitability, social and economic equity, and adaptive to environment and ecology of southwest Bangladesh. S/he is responsible to develop capacities and knowledge of the team members, Lead Farmers and particularly for aquaculture farmers for efficient farm management i.e. nationally and internationally certified to enter into new business venture in the supply chain.

The Commodity Manager-Aqua have to work closely with aquaculture producers and related service providers, new entrepreneurs in production, processing and agriculture related business, and local and national stakeholders whose support of aquaculture is important such as Department of Fisheries, Local Government Bodies and private sectors engaged in aqua-business to avail their technology and resources for implementing aqua-based enterprises in the targeted districts. S/he will also be responsible to develop efficient supply chain of the selected aquaculture commodities in collaboration with Economic and Market Development team and along with other sector specialists to identify market challenges and opportunities, promote fair price of produces, shelf life and ensure food safety in the entire supply chain.

The position will be based in Khulna and will report to the Programme Manager and maintain close coordination with other team members.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake aquaculture specific research and analysis for technological innovations, efficient farm management and sustainable supply chain development.
• Review and analyse on going aquaculture interventions, design and propose new innovative interventions based on set results and ensure quality implementation.
• Develop business case to support farmers to access of quality inputs and market of their farm produces.
• Develop business cases for sustainable use of water and environmental sustainability.
• Upscale the knowledge of Lead Farmers and other entrepreneurs developed by the project.
• Ensuring sustainability of market driven production system considering GAP and food safety.
• Enhance safety and competitiveness in the shrimp and fish supply chain through local level dialogue and coordination
• Develop necessary training materials, guidebooks and IEC materials in close consultation with other sector specialists, local implementing partners, program team and relevant experts.
• Conduct training and provide backstopping support to team members and lead farmers for better facilitation of project interventions among the aquaculture farmers.
• Develop collaboration and partnership with technical institutions, market actors (both in backward and forward market) to promote adoption of ecology friendly technologies and to develop sustainable supply chain for selected commodities.
• Promote functional collaboration with private sectors, trade associations, market intermediaries and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the agro-based enterprises in aquaculture and to increase the efficiency in the supply chain of selected commodities.
• Support farmers to adopt globally accepted sustainable aquaculture framework for professional farm management, good aquaculture  practices, food safety and hygiene,
• Promote the positive image of the aquaculture and food systems through a variety of efforts, including generating support from local and national stakeholders and connecting with local media.
• Support farmers to produce certified production of selected aquaculture species, food safety ensuring appropriate inputs, processing and marketing.
• Encourage private sector financial investment in setting up sustainable aquaculture supply chains in Bangladesh like local market development, transportation, cold storages, etc.
• Ensure that gender and social inclusion concept and principles are internalized and promoted in the production and value addition of produces;
• Develop implementation plan, monitor and follow up the implementation and assist team members in planning.
• Carrying out process documentation, collection and compilation of required information from the entrepreneurs and stakeholders.
• Develop monthly, quarterly, six monthly and annual reports of the aquaculture achievements and lessons learned.
• Take part in sharing the experience and results at review meetings within program team and wider stakeholders.
• Manage efficiently a professional team, build capacity of the team members to deliver designed interventions and monitor the progress.
• Engage in dialogue with processing companies and other supply chain actors for improving the responsible sourcing of shrimp.

Education/Experience and Skills

• Master degree or equivalent in Fisheries or Aquaculture.
• Minimum of 7-8 years relevant work experience in the field of aquaculture.
• Fluency in both Bengali and English with excellent report writing skill;
• Experience in aquaculture market system,  private sector engagement and supply chain development
• Knowledge of aquaculture extension techniques, livelihoods approaches, land and water management;
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively, and to write clearly and concisely.
• Experience in implementing programme through partnership with local development organizations, private sectors and relevant government department.

Person Specifications & Attributes

• Must ensure effective team alignment and coordination between operational and support functions to ensure overall performance;
• Ability to work in a team;
• Proven understanding on financial and operational aspects in agri-business.
• Proven ability to work in an intercultural environment
• Effective and efficient communication skills.

Employment Type: Project based fixed term

Salary & Other Benefits

Solidaridad offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with Solidaridad Asia pay scales and Service Rule. The benefits package includes provident fund, one festival bonus, gratuities and medical insurance as per the organizational policy.

Apply Instructions

To apply, please send a CV (3 pages max.) and a cover letter (1 page) explaining the desire, your relevant skills and experiences at recruitment.hrsna@gmail.com. Position applied for should be clearly mentioned in the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview.

Closing date of application is April 6, 2019.